Didrik Pining

Didrik Pining also Dietrich or Diderik (born ca. 1428 in Hildesheim, Germany) is claimed to have discovered America in 1473 20 years before Columbus. He was the captain of a German-led, Danish-sponsored, and Portuguese-financed expedition seeking a northwestern route to Asia. Pining is said to have landed with three ships in 1473 on Newfoundland and Labrador together with Hans Pothorst also from Hildesheim and João Vaz Corte-Real from Portugal. The steersman was Johannes Scolvus aka John of Kolno.

Didrik Pining was a nobleman who began his career as a pirate hunting down English raiders and merchant ships in the North Atlantic. Later he was the governor of Iceland.